Hiking Guide
WTA's hiking guide is the most comprehensive database of hikes in Washington, and comprises content written by local hiking experts and user submitted information. All data is vetted by WTA staff. This resource is made possible by the donations of WTA members.
We respectfully acknowledge the lands we are visiting are the homelands of Indigenous tribes of the Pacific Northwest, some of whom have reserved rights on these lands. Tribes continue to rely on and share in the management of these lands today. Please tread gently and treat these places with respect.
Results List
4173 HikesLower Mad River Valley
Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
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Length
- 14.9 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,000 feet
9.4.25: This trail is closed until further notice due to the Lower Sugarloaf Fire.
Hike along the Lower Mad River in a narrow rocky canyon. The first three miles makes an ideal day trip for hikers of all abilities. Looking for more adventure? The trail continues for almost 15 miles where it meets the Upper Mad River trail. Be prepared to share the trail with bikes, horses, and motorcycles.
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section I - White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass
South Cascades > White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley
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Length
- 99.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 17,771 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,530 feet
9.3.25: The PCT is closed between Chinook Pass (mile 2326.7) and the junction with the Bumping Lake trail (mile 2311.8) until further notice due to the Wildcat Fire. The Chinook Pass trailhead southbound is also closed.
Starting in well-protected sub-alpine wilderness and descending into heavily-logged, privately-owned land, this stretch of the PCT offers a dramatic illustration of the effects of public land protection and private industry on Washington's landscape.
Fort Simcoe Historical State Park
Central Washington > Yakima
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Length
- 1.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 89 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,443 feet
Fort Simcoe Historical State Park consists of 196 acres in the Yakima Indian Reservation. The Park is closed in the winter from October 1 through March 31.
North Mountain Lookout
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 2.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 600 feet
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Highest Point
- 3,956 feet
North Mountain is home to a network of mountain bike trails which can be accessed at many points along the North Mountain road, but the lookout tower is a destination in itself.
Klonaqua Lakes
Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area
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Length
- 10.0 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 2,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,200 feet
A handful of high lakes nestled in a forested cirque below Granite Mountain deep within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Pilot Ridge
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 11.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 5,946 feet
9.3.25: The trail is closed until further notice due to the Red Mountain Fire.
A steep, infrequently maintained trail that is part of the White Pass-Pilot Ridge Loop.
Margaret's Way and Debbie's View
Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain
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Length
- 6.5 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,730 feet
If nature excites you, there's plenty here to be excited about. Cool forest, trickling creeks in deep ravines, and a beautiful new trail built by WTA volunteers await you here.
White Pass - Pilot Ridge Loop
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 29.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 7,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,360 feet
9.3.25: North Fork Sauk and Pilot Ridge trails are closed until further notice due to the Red Mountain Fire.
A loop hike, beginning and ending in the old-growth forests of the North Fork Sauk River that traverses high ridges and passes of the Pacific crest, visits beautiful alpine lakes, and finally follows the high and lonesome Pilot Ridge Trail before descending back down to the trail junction on the North Fork Sauk River.
Bald Eagle Mountain
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 13.6 miles, one-way
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Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,800 feet
9.3.25: The trail is closed to Curry Gap until further notice due to the Red Mountain Fire.
Enjoy a peaceful river walk followed by nicely graded switchbacks on the way to Bald Eagle Mountain. Views of Monte Cristo and surrounds will be the reward for your efforts.
North Fork Sauk River
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 18.2 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 5,078 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,949 feet
9.3.25: The trail is closed until further notice due to the Red Mountain Fire.
Some trails go to lakes, some to high viewpoints. This trail is all about the forest, and what a forest it is! Old-growth trees reach for the sky on either side of a brush-free trail, since understory is minimal when the big old trees block out the light. Find fantastic mushrooms here in the fall and forest wildflowers in the spring and early summer.
Red Mountain Lookout
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 2.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 700 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,800 feet
9.3.25: The trail is closed until further notice due to the Red Mountain Fire.
This seldom-used trail within Glacier Peak Wilderness leads through an old-growth forest with magnificent, large trees to the site of an old fire lookout build in the 1930s.
Harold Engles Memorial Cedars
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 1.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 200 feet
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Highest Point
- 1,800 feet
9.3.25: The trail is closed until further notice due to the Red Mountain Fire.
This is a half-mile loop hike past giant cedar trees preserved by Harold Engles, a famous Forest Ranger.
Sloan Peak
North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway
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Length
- 9.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 7,835 feet
9.3.25: The trail is closed until further notice due to the Red Mountain Fire.
This route on the north side of Sloan Peak is steep and challenging. Hikers with navigational skills can make it to the base of the peak -- climbing gear and expertise is needed to achieve the summit.
East Fork Foss - Necklace Valley
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 18.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,000 feet
The Necklace Valley makes a wonderful 2-3 night backpack trip for hearty hikers, and rewards with cool alpine lakes to swim and fish in, or just camp beside. Or take a day trip along the East Fork Foss River admire the amazing second-growth tree canopy.
Oxbow Loop Trail
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 1.8 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 56 feet
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Highest Point
- 920 feet
Follow a loop trail around Oxbow Lake in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River valley, where solitude intersects with calm lake waters, ever-present river murmurs of the Middle Fork, mountain views, and Snoqualmie rainforest. Depending on the season, fall colors, wildflowers, or fresh berries may be present for your enjoyment.
Bearhead Mountain
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,089 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
Bearhead Mountain is a moderate, well-marked trail through the forest that carries you to an old fire lookout site with a bold and brassy Rainier view.
West Fork Foss River and Lakes
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
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Length
- 14.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,900 feet
Visit any of several beautiful alpine lakes, in rocky basins. The day can be as easy as a 3.6 roundtrip hike to Trout Lake, or as strenuous as the nearly 15-mile hike to Big Heart Lake as you like. Good options exist both for day-hikers and for backpackers.
Teneriffe Falls
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,585 feet
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Highest Point
- 2,370 feet
You'll work up a sweat on this easy to moderate hike to the spectacular Teneriffe Falls. Go in the spring when the tread is snow-free and the waterfall is flowing at full volume. Along the way, you'll be rewarded with views of the surrounding Snoqualmie valley and nearby peaks.
Clara and Marion Lakes
Central Washington > Wenatchee
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Length
- 3.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 900 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,475 feet
Some days are perfect for quiet contemplation, and an easygoing trail. Chirping birds, fragrant Ponderosa pines, and soft duff underfoot make this a perfect short, casual hike. In snow, it's steady climb will make it a moderate challenge in winter when showshoeing is in season.
Index Town Wall
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West
This unofficial trail is short, steep and extremely eroded. Because it's not officially built or managed hikers are encouraged to find other locations to explore in the area.
Gem Lake
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 10.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,200 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,857 feet
Gem Lake is nestled at the foot of Wright Mountain and is about two miles beyond the trail junction at Rock Creek trail #1013.1 that intersects with the Snow Lake trail starting at Alpental. Beautiful colors surround the lake in autumn as do the many climbable peaks in the area.
Easton Ridge
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 6.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 2,270 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,470 feet
Easton Ridge is a hiker’s friend. Located on the east side of Cascades, hikers will often find drier weather here than on the west side, and with a relatively low peak elevation (4462 feet), snow melts out earlier than other nearby summits at higher elevation.
Lake Valhalla
Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,050 feet
Lake Valhalla is a gem, tucked under Lichtenberg Mountain and Mount McCausland on the PCT North of Stevens Pass. The lake is a great day hike in summer or fall and accessible by snowshoe in the winter. Wildflowers abound in early summer, berries in late summer and fall colors make vivid surroundings in autumn.
Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 5.4 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,822 feet
You may have heard Mailbox Peak mentioned in slightly hushed tones, the kind reserved for stories about some legendary storm or a bad accident. What inspires such reverence? The original route, which entails 4,000 feet of climbing in less than three miles. The newer, gentler trail takes twice as much distance to achieve the summit, but nothing will permanently erase the original trail's fearsome reputation.
Cascade Pass
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
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Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,392 feet
At Cascade Pass, the wow factor far exceeds the “ow” factor – perhaps no other trail in the state delivers as much reward for the effort. From the high peaks on either side of the pass, verdant meadows curve down to a saddle that offers sweeping views of nearby valleys, glaciers, mountains, and passing wildlife. Sedately climbing a little less than 1,800 feet in 3.6 miles, it is the perfect hike to show new hikers the extraordinary places their feet can take them.
Bandera Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,400 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,240 feet
There are two sides to Bandera Mountain — gentle and well-groomed on the one hand, rough and untamed on the other. Together, they make for a very satisfying hike along a rocky ridge to a false summit (Little Bandera) with views impressive enough to dissuade most from completing the final half mile of informal trail to the "real" summit.
Excelsior Peak via Damfino Lakes Trail
North Cascades > Mount Baker Area
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Length
- 5.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,500 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,699 feet
Disregarding the apocryphal stories about their name, the Damfino Lakes are noteworthy only to distinguish this route from two other routes. The lakes pale in comparison to these magnificent destinations: Excelsior Pass, the High Divide and Excelsior Peak.
Tolmie Peak Lookout - Eunice Lake
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 7.5 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 1,100 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,900 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The bridge closure renders this hike inaccessible.
Hike to an old fire lookout with in-your-face views of Mount Rainier and a sapphire blue lake below. Tolmie Peak and Eunice Lake pack a one-two punch when it comes to scenery, but stopping at the picturesque lake is a perfectly acceptable destination as well.
Spray Park
Mount Rainier Area > NW - Carbon River/Mowich
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Length
- 8.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,700 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,500 feet
The Fairfax Bridge (3 miles south of Carbonado) is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until further notice due to safety concerns. The Wonderland Trail is inaccessible from Mowich Lake due to the bridge closure.
Since getting to the trailhead involves a significant drive on gravel road, this hike sees fewer boots than trails leaving from Paradise and Sunrise. Spray Falls is attainable by most day hikers, but the gain up to Spray Park is a good test of your fitness level! Your reward on a clear day will be views, views, views of Echo Rock, Observation Rock and Mount Rainier.
Granite Mountain
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
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Length
- 8.6 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 3,800 feet
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Highest Point
- 5,629 feet
In winter the trail up Granite Mountain crosses a large avalanche chute early in the hike. Please have experience navigating avalanche terrain and the proper equipment when hiking this trail in the winter.
The astounding views from the summit of the Granite Mountain trail come at a price. A nearly-1000-feet-of-elevation-gain-per-mile price. But views of pointed Kaleetan Peak, deep blue Crystal Lake, the climber-dotted Tooth, and Mount Rainier dominating the skyline to the south make it all worth it.